How are you doing on your work-life balance goals? If you are like most of us who work in our chosen professions, we can take comfort in the fact that we spend a significant amount of time doing what we enjoy and rely on “counterbalancing” those other critical aspects of life during our extended break times, like during March Break.

And, kids need a break too!

I am more than aware that many parents believe that kids have it easier than they did and question why schools like TCS have so many breaks, including two full weeks in March. Without getting into both the pros and cons of March Breaks, let me outline what I believe are a few of the benefits and important “to do’s” to accomplish the intended results of this school break.

For those who know me, it is no surprise when I say I am a fan of the Caribbean. When I was a kid, the Bahamian Department of Tourism had an advertisement that stuck with me. The slogan, “It’s better in the Bahamas,” is still used today and you will get no argument from me! Also offered in the Bahamas, is a sweet soft drink called Goombay Punch that I try to sample in person every year.

Of the many countries and dependent territories considered to be a part of the Caribbean, TCS has had representation from a number of these islands over the course of our history. St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Saint Martin, St. Lucia, Antigua, Jamaica, Barbados, among several others, have been some of the island nations that have been well represented at the School on the Hill.

This past weekend, the School hosted one of several annual open houses for prospective students. We had approximately 30 families in attendance and our admissions office (a.k.a. “The A Team”) once again did a terrific job of welcoming and hosting everyone. Many students, teachers and staff also participated in the day, helping to capture and demonstrate the essence of our learning community.

Personalized tours of our facilities were conducted by kids; adults were available to visiting families should they want clarity on any and every aspect of the TCS experience; prospective students were interviewed; and four of our students acted as panelists who eagerly responded to questions posed by interested families.

It’s a challenge to capture the essence of TCS in three hours.

This past week our beloved school released The Strategic Plan for Trinity College School 2020-2025. The plan contains three pillars, six goals and is estimated to result in more than 150 tactical initiatives over the next five years. That’s a lot of numbers, a lot of words, and a lot of well-intentioned planned actions. You can read all about it at: www.tcs.on.ca/strategicplan.

That said, given you might not find the time to read the entire plan, let me offer you the following summary, in a nutshell.